Donnie boldly and sincerely proclaims, nation-wide the "good news" that "IN JESUS THERE IS A NEW LIFE, AN ABUNDANT LIFE AND THE ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL LIFE". composition. The Minister of Youth came up to me at that point came to me after I had been there a while and said that he came to my service years ago with his girlfriend and was all strung out on drugs. Fontana Interview with Charlie Hodge Interview with Ernst Jorgensen Elvis Presley & the TCB Band, Copyright 2022 by www.elvis.com.au & www.elvispresley.com.au, https://www.elvis.com.au/presley/donnie-sumner.shtml. That guys got a lot of stage skills. ", Hi ELVIS Friends, This is a great tribute to a great man wish I could have been there. These stories begged the question about Sumners opinion as to the claim that Elvis staged his death in August of 1977. hi-res2004 Home For Christmas (Image Records/SM-1204): The Christmas Story (as read by JD Sumner); What Child Is This; Do You Hear What I Hear; O Come All Ye Faithful; Christmas Bells Medley; Away In A Manger; Birthday Of A King Medley; The First Noel; Silent Night; Joy To The World; I'll Be Home For Christmas; The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year; White Christmas; Home For Christmas. Copyright Currentobituary.com, Your source for online obituaries and funeral notices. 's face, I did not approach the bier. I will tell you flat out, one of the liabilities of the entertainment industry is your removal from the normal life of home, church and friends', Donnie said. Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound. But when we'd sing for him, it was like throwing a bucket of cold water on a fire. Mr. Sumner was gracious enough to grant a phone interview with me to discuss the book and his post-Elvis life. By this, he meant the way that Sumner would run down the scale and bottom out on the lowest note he could hit. I made up this crazy excuse that I just couldnt afford to come up there. He rarely went to church or read the Bible, according to one close associate, and his partying and overindulgence in food and drugs eventually led to his death at age 42. Those who knew Elvis agree he felt trapped by his fame. Select one or more of the available filters to get started. I was at a church youth camp in the desert outside of Tucson, Arizona. I had been involved in the drug culture ever since I entered the industry. A funeral service will be held Monday, May 1, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Genesis Full Gospel Church with the Rev. Second, was to tell the human side of Elvis and tell all this funny stuff and show him as a human being with no negative stuff. I was curious who, from his perspective, Donnie saw as the typical purchaser of In the Shadow of Kings. Sumner - Donnie Sumner's uncle and one of the founders of The Stamps. Candle 1. He was a carpenter and worked in construction. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. 1. for 59 weeks and 4 No. Donnie Sumner, raised the son of a minister, is no new comer to the world of Christian music. . Sumner at the 78 Dove Awards. wouldhumorously pick on him. Hes come back as Jessie and hes got a new record out. J.D'.s 'zoom bass' was always a favorite of Elvis, who loved southern gospel music. Echovita offers a solidarity program that gives back the funds generated to families. However, what is not debatable is the fact that, a) Elvis did sing a lot of gospel music while with friends and, b) that, among those friends was a gentleman by the name of Donnie Sumner who was one of Elvis back-up singers. . He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lynn Sumner of Ocilla; a son, Brian & Sandi Sumner of Ocilla; a daughter, Kerri Sumner Eckstrand of Ocilla; grandchildren: Brianne & Ellis Douglas, Logan Sumner, Kalynn Sumner, Amelia Eckstrand, Aiden Eckstrand, and Savana Douglas; a great-grandchild on the way; a brother, Roger & Wanda Sumner of Ocilla; great-nephews and a great-niece that he helped to raise: Kevin Rains, Eric Muse and Ariel Rains. 'We'd be wired most of the time. The kid gave me one of those, Yes, you idiot looks. Can you imagine, Elvis: 'Hey Sherrill, The doc's here to give you a hair transplant'. It took several years for me to get most of the kinks out of it so that I could walk straight. Unfortunately, you'll find many suicides that are not resolved . Name: Location: Video: Image: Light A Candle. Within a year, Elvis Presley was dead. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Thursday evening at the funeral home in Ocilla. Donnies uncle, the late J.D. I was in tears. Thank you for understanding. Bill Gaitherspoke about working with J.D. A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. I just wanted to get out of the drugs and see if I could live. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. The ceremony was supposed to end with a videotape of one ofJ.D. After fifteen minutes, most of the congregation left while she wasspeaking. Leave your condolences to the family on this memorial page or send flowers to show you care. As can easily be imagined, the targeted niche for Sumners book is the very wide, diverse and, sometimes, strange demographic of Elvis fans as well as those who love southern Gospel music. in the Valley." George Richey spoke of how J.D. which drive up our cost of staying online. CPA5 4775-04. I tell you what, Randy, it dont take any courage. Frances Sumner Dunn, 77, of Oakland, TN passed away on Monday, June 25, 2018. THE ELVIS YEARS I asked Donnie for his thoughts on his legendary uncle. "I want your '56 endings," he told him. 'He embraced me and rather than jumping, I cried my way back to the room for a brand new beginning'. 'He had a feel and a passion for it. comforted him afterGeorge's wife, Tammy Wynette, passed away. Whoever put it on record bootlegged it from my record. Yep, I dressed him. years Donnie endeavored to create a secular music firm in Nashville , Tennessee under the banner of SPIRIT AND ASSOCIATES. Boomerocity.com is a website dedicated to the cultural interests of the Baby Boomer Generation. In December of 1979 with the encouragement and blessings of his Pastor, Donnie relinquished his music company to his Brother and business partner and yielded his life and talents to total Christian service and entered into full time "ministry". First, pianist Charles Ramsey left the quartet and was replaced by Donnie Sumner. It was the only thing in this life that brought him relief', he said. It was more or less a social thing for the first few years and it progressed', Donnie said. Donnie Sumner, "The Lighthouse" - video by Susan Quinn Sand 55,607 views Jun 8, 2016 Jeff Lewis and Friends Gospel Show at end of Tupelo Elvis Festival 2016, Sunday, 6-5-2016 465 Dislike Share. The limit is due to overactive search engine bots (Bing, Google, etc.) My emphasis is really on just one simple thing', he said. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, James A. Dunn, parents, J.D. J.D. Sherrill Nielsen had just left The Statesmen Quartet, (Elvis loved Sherrill as he could hit notes higher than a normal tenor, and Elvis had him to sing the very high endings in concert. 615-512-7565 Late in 1976, eleven months prior to the death of Elvis, Donnie having undergone a crucial emotional and drug related crisis and a subsequent spiritual "New-birth", resigned his position with Elvis and became actively involved in the pursuit of a "Faith walk with Christ Jesus". I had no idea. Sumner recalled that when he told Presley in 1976 he was leaving to shake his drug habit, Presley said, 'I wish I could do that, go somewhere and start over, but I guess I'll have to keep on being Elvis'. Elvis insisted his backup groups gather to sing gospel music after his concerts, sometimes until dawn. I never talked to J.D. I asked Sumner what his reactions and thoughts were on that fateful day. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. "The Lighthouse" Gospel Song by Donnie Sumner - Elvis' Gospel Band (The Stamps) High Quality Elvis, naturally, is irreplaceable but so is Sumner; few singers can hit the lowest G on the piano. Moscheo called him 'a lonely person'. I asked the kid, Is he dead? because the headline didnt make it clear if he just had a heart attack or if he died from one. Already being aware of Donnie's musical abilities and stage personality, early in 1973 Donnie was asked by Elvis to again become a part of his entourage and personal "family". Then he was going to come back and freak everybody out. Both Donnie and J. D. were closely associated with the late ELVIS PRESLEY on both his stage appearances and his recordings. I was a scoundrel. (Partial List)All I Do Is Ask The LordDreamin'God's HeavenIf I Could Have The WorldIf You Find The LordI'll Live OnLove Found A PardonLove Him SoSailing Toward HomeSounds Of LoveStreet Corner PreacherThe Army Of The LordThe Night Before EasterThe Shadow Of His LoveWhere Has Our Love Gone. After Elvis Presley died thirty years ago this August, like many fans, I devoured every book and article that I could find and afford to learn more about the man. He is included in The Guinness Book of Records as the world's lowest bass singer. He also formed the National Quartet Convention, which became the biggest event on the Southern gospel calendar. Gospel music executive BobWhitaker and former Stamps pianist and current MCA Nashville presidentTony Brown said a few words. The only personal responses have been how much they appreciate portraying the human, funny side of Elvis rather than all the negative stuff and they appreciate how I handle the subject of drugs and Christianity in the book. Then, after I bit on that hook of that serious answer, Donnie glided in with the rest of his answer . At Elvis' request, they were flown to Vegas to sing backup on the Tom Jones show, and at the end of that engagement, Elvis signed the three voices: Donnie Sumner, Sherrill Nielsen and Tim Baty to be his personal gospel group, and he changed their name to 'Voice' (the name actually came from a religious periodical Elvis received). Donnie sang lead with the Stamps Trio, J D Sumner And The Stamps, and Voice.He has also made frequent appearances on the Gaither Homecoming Series. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Sumner Funeral and Cremation Lakeside - Hendersonville Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Add Photos Add a Memory Linda Michele Boyd Linda Michele Boyd, age 54 of Hendersonville, passed away April 22, 2023. Hes like everybody else in the world of entertainment every once in a while hed slip but just because you slip doesnt mean youre down. In 1972 Donnie resigned from the Stamps Quartet and organized his own group, which was to become known as VOICE INC. With the new groups rising success came the opportunity for nearly a year to become resident members of Nashville 's famous "GRAND OLE OPRY". Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Friday, September 17, 2021, at Bethany Missionary Baptist Church, in Irwin County, Georgia, with the Rev. was probably one of the three most recognizable names in the whole world of southern gospel music', Donnie said. The album includes an instant classic, 'Peace in the Valley'. But Elvis never forgot Donnie. Donnie Sumner - Tour Coordinator After more than four decades, Donnie's vocal interpretations and dynamic style still continues to touch and capture the hearts . They dont see me in all the places of ill repute that I found myself in during that time period. called he called about one oclock in the afternoon on the day Elvis died I really didnt think that Elvis was dead. Spirit Ministries / Att. Hell be back next week.. It only took one sentence for Donnie Sumner to describe his career in music'. Copyright 1999 2023 Dave Maurer Elvis Interviews , Elvis Articles , Elvis Biography , By David Adams. There were several hundred people inattendance. He was friendly with many gospel musicians and he worked for several years with J.D. Before the ceremony began, the coffin was open and although Icould see J.D. Leave it to Elvis. : The original group consisted of Sherrill Nielsen, Donnie Sumner and Tim Baty (, Elvis and J.D. Having retired from what he refers to as "Show Business", for the next three years Donnie endeavored to create a secular music firm in Nashville , Tennessee under the banner of SPIRIT AND ASSOCIATES. Condolence at HopewellFuneral.com Published by Tampa Bay. sang represented the man'soutlook on life: "If I can help somebody as I pass along Then my living shall not be in vain. Elvis said on several occasions that Sumner was his favourite gospel singer and when they were together, it was Elvis who was in awe of him. Sumner agreed and the Stamps Quartet joined Elvis in November 1971. Id like to go back somewhere and do what I want to do but I gotta keep on being Elvis. I turned around and walked out of the hospital. The Stamps worked for Elvis until his death in August 1977 and Sumner's voice can be heard on many recordings including the gospel songs "Help Me" and "Why Me, Lord". Donnie Sumner is 80 years old and was born on 12/04/1942. McDuff soon exited the Stamps for the McDuff Brothers, and Donnie Sumner . Sumner and his quartet, the Stamps, had been performing at a theatre in Myrtle Beach. Donnie's professional career began in the early sixties. Ronald Dale Ronnie Sumner, 74, of Irwin County, Georgia, died Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at his residence. Upon hearing the news, Elvis told Donnie that he was proud of him and said that he wished that he could go somewhere and start over but 'I guess I got to keep on being Elvis'. You dont have to squall and bawl, have a fit and fall back in it. Donnie is the nephew of the late J. D. SUMNER, nationally acclaimed as the "world's lowest bass singer." Hes got a great presentation and I really enjoyed it. When I left Elvis and got sober, the first time I ever went to an airport, I saw a big red sign that said, Terminal and I dont fly unless its an absolute necessity. He was born in Marshes Siding, Kentucky on May 22, 1947 the son of Jerome and Nellie (Bryant) Sumner. Blackwood himself was part of another quartet at the First Assembly in Memphis, the Songfellows, and Presley wanted to join. Hes alive!, Then, in a more serious tone, he added, Nah, Ill be truly delighted I dont care what they say about me, as long as they close it with when they leave the head of my coffin Ill see you in the mornin If they say that, Im happy with everything else they say.. It was from such occasions that Elvis eventually came to record two of Donnie's country songs. Hovie. I believe it was Ed Enoch who said the last song J.D. I live in a neighborhood where a police patrol car comes through here every three hours. If we can inspire people to live better lives, we've performed a ministry.". They wouldve never had any financial problems. Obituary. George's wife, Tammy Wynette, passed away. I dont hear many stories of that sort of thing because theyre not close friends and only a close friend would tell you a story like that.. In it he wrote, "Gospel music was designed by Christian people as a means of reaching the lost. When I told Elvis that I would like to resign, he said, Id like to do that, too. I was very glad that I had attended. Another non-gospel song, 'Crying in the Chapel', that became a pop-chart hit. I got saved - came back home. . I want them to laugh at my humor, at my jokes, at myself by being old, fat and ugly. In 1970, while with the Stamps, Donnie received the Gospel Music Association's prestigious DOVE AWARD for "Gospel Song of the Year" with his composition, "THE NIGHT BEFORE EASTER". Sumner and The Stamps Quartet; Donnie is to the immediate left of Elvis L To R: Bill Baize, future Oak Ridge Boy Richard Sterban, Donnie Sumner, Elvis, J.D. Sumner was inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame as an individual in 1983 and with the Stamps earlier this year. Since childhood his favorite form of entertainment has been "GOSPEL MUSIC" with styles ranging from "Foot-stompin' - hand-clappin' revival tunes" to what has become known in today's market as contemporary sacred music. Gospel music is my life.". Eventually, Charlie Hodge, Elvis' right-hand man called and said they needed someone to help out with the high notes'. You cant go no lower than the bottom., I asked Donnie if he had something to fall back on when he left Elvis, to which he replied, Not at all. Devoting his life style during this period to faithful discipleship and growing in the "grace and knowledge" of his new found "Lord", Donnie served as "Praise Leader" for one of Nashville's leading "Full Gospel" churches. His father was a Pentecostal preacher, and his uncle, J.D. Find the obituary of Phoebe R. Harrison (1952 - 2022) from Sumner, IL. Sumner remembers on one occasion singing all four verses of 'In the Sweet By and By' 18 times in a row at Elvis' bidding. He was a giant of a man, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and domestically. I came back years later and was the associate pastor of that church. Everybody thought he was a great singer, but what made him great in rock and roll was his appearance. Sumner has been a part of my life for almost twenty years and as I wrote in a previous posting, I was fortunate to have met him five years ago. Hes been going to do this for years and he finally did it. They were booked for Elvis In Concert at Wembley Arena in January 1999 in which Elvis's backing musicians and singers will accompany a video of Elvis singing. Donnie is the nephew of the late J. D. SUMNER, nationally acclaimed as the "world's lowest bass singer." Both Donnie and J. D. were closely associated with the late ELVIS PRESLEY on both his stage appearances and his recordings. On the Saturday morning before Labor Day in 1976, he stood on the balcony outside Elvis' suite trying to get the nerve to jump'.
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